Product News: Robotics

Mobile Robot Application provides reactive audio playback.

Press Release Summary:

December 10, 2010 -
Optimizing vehicle in motion notifications, ADAM RAP can play text-to-speech messages, sound bites, or musical interludes that can be actively or passively triggered in reaction to operational conditions and system inputs. Through ADAM Commander mapping software, regions on facility map can be embedded with commands to automatically load specific tunes or prompt voice messages. For example, ADAM may play song in aisles and then switch to text-to-speech-based message as it approaches doorway.

Original Press Release

RMT Robotics Introduces ADAM Mobile Robot Reactive Audio Playback

Press release date: December 8, 2010

New system enhances vehicle in motion notifications in the form of music and voice messaging
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada - RMT Robotics® (www.rmtrobotics.com), a Cimcorp Oy company, launches ADAM RAP (Reactive Audio Playback). The programmable sound system includes interactive voice messages and a mobile "vehicle in motion" jukebox for every mood and season.
"In developing the ADAM RAP module, we wanted to create a new "vehicle in motion" function that not only improves safety but leverages the power of the ADAM platform to enhance the interactive experience between humans and the mobile robots that they work with every day," said Bill Torrens, Director of Sales & Marketing for RMT Robotics.
AGVs have a standard beeper-based "vehicle in motion" alert system which is mandated by most international safety standards. In most operations however, noise proliferation combined with the monotonous beep of vehicles tends to diminish the alertness of workers with constant exposure. An enhanced audio system that could generate a variety of sounds and automatically associate these sounds with vehicle position or function would dramatically improve the effectiveness of the warning system.
RMT Robotics developed the ADAM sound application to play "text to speech" messages, sound bites or musical interludes that can be either actively or passively triggered in reaction to a variety of operational conditions and system inputs. Through the ADAM Commander mapping software, regions on the facility map can be embedded with commands to automatically load specific tunes or prompt a series of voice messages. For example, ADAM may play a song in the aisle ways and then switch to a text to speech-based message saying, "Excuse me I am coming through" as it approaches the region of a doorway. After successfully moving through the doorway, ADAM will automatically revert to playing the original song.
ADAM RAP also has the ability to react to inputs. As another example, if a worker (or object) is fully obstructing the doorway and ADAM is unable to reconcile an alternative path, ADAM will politely enunciate, "Please move, I cannot get around you." As another example, if the emergency stop button is pressed, ADAM will state, "My emergency stop has been pressed," or if the Enter Destination button is pressed on the vehicle keypad, ADAM will state, "Thank you, see you later" before proceeding on its mission.
"Now that ADAM can "speak" and interact with workers, there is an improved harmonization between the work force and the robots that serve them," says Torrens. "The fact that ADAM can also entertain while enhancing safety and efficiency in the process is an added bonus."
For more information, please contact Bill Torrens, Director of Sales & Marketing for RMT Robotics, at +1 905-643-9700 x 273 or billtorrens@rmtrobotics.com.
About RMT Robotics RMT Robotics (www.rmtrobotics.com), a Cimcorp Oy Company, engineers, manufactures and installs integrated solutions for materials handling. Recognized around the globe as an innovator, RMT Robotics supplies mobile robots, robotic gantry systems for tire, warehouse and manufacturing applications.
With 30 years of proven automated material handling experience, RMT Robotics focuses on automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) using the latest in AGV and robotic gantry technology. Automating processes such as case picking, layer picking, order picking, work-in-process (WIP) storage and retrieval help our customers streamline and gain a competitive advantage over their competition.
About Cimcorp Cimcorp (www.cimcorp.com) is a global leader in robotic material handling manufacturing and integration. Headquartered in Ulvila, Finland, the company has a proven track record in supplying fully automatic robotic gantry and picking solutions. Cimcorp robots help logistics operators improve throughput, reduce picking errors and damage, save space and improve control of the material flow. Cimcorp's gantry systems optimize storage capacity within robot cells and enhance picking capacity and order fulfillment efficiency.